Falling in love with...fall

If you think that once summer is over you will only stay home falling slowly into winter lethargy, you are wrong! Philadelphia is a place where you can really enjoy all four seasons needless to say that fall is maybe the best one.  My third expat fall in Philly is well underway and I want to share with you its best moments.

Can't miss apps for expat wives

Earlier this year, I presented you some mobile applications that may become handy to a newbie in Philadelphia, and more specifically to the expat wives like us. Take a look at my updated list of some new apps. Let us know if it useful or if you've discovered some that might be useful to other expats.

When I came to Philly more than a year ago there was a lot to discover and to adapt to. New measurements, new currency, also new TV channels, new pubs and restaurants for the night life. Luckily, we live in the 21st century and the process of discovering my new life was a lot easier thanks to new technology, the apps in particular!

Weekend IN or weekend OUT of Philly?

If the Memorial Day kicks off summer season and weekend getaways at the beach, with the Labor Day it all unofficially ends.

Did you know...?

Ice cream, baby !!!

I am an ice-cream addict. I can have ice-cream every day. And now that I have confessed it, I will share my favorite places in Philly with you:

US,I'll miss you!

During my vacation I had a chance to talk to a friend who used to live abroad and then decided to come back to her home country. Difference number one between me and her was that she didn't follow her husband, number two, she didn't move across the ocean. Anyways, listening to the story of someone who expatriated from her home country and came back was very interesting and made me ask myself a question: what would I miss about the US if I came back to Europe?

Philly is (finally) in blossom

I have never enjoyed the arrival of spring as much as here in Philadelphia. Guess why? The winter is just so long and seems so endless that at the first warm sunrays people go literally wild. Myself included. There is no point in staying home in spring.

Where will I do my hair again?

It's been a while since our latest review feature. And because finding a good hairdresser can be tricky,let's see some other hair salon we tested for you.

Run like an expat !

What do you think about running? Do you find it energizing as I do? Actually, I wasn’t a runner before I moved to Philadelphia. I used to run around the park in Milan but I only started to run seriously here in the US. It may be because Philly boasts of a great number of running trails or simply because it is an easy and a low-cost work out option. But the most curious thing is that Philly is a running city!

There are run races in every season, of every distance and accessible for everyone. If you are not familiar with the races at all, you may want to know that: 

usually the races are distance races of 5k, 10k, half-marathon or marathon 

there always is a registration and a registration fee

you always run for the cause. In fact, most races are charity runs.

Whether you are an experienced runner or you have just bought your first runner's shoes, here is a list of Philly's most famous races:

The Color Run

Famous in all world, it is also known as “the happiest 5K on the planet”.  It was my first run ever and guys, it was a huge fun. You don’t have to be a runner as no particular physical preparation is necessary. All you need is a willingness to wake up on a Sunday morning and have fun with your friends tossing colors at each other (a little alert here:after the run, you will find colors in the most hidden parts of your body). If you want to do something different from a Sunday brunch or if you are starting your career as a runner, you will definitely enjoy the Color Run. So check it out and get ready for the next one on 25 April!

And, something for expat moms: the run is also child-friendly! 

More info at The Color Run website! 

The Graffiti Run 

It is another colorful 5K with the very similar concept of having fun while you are running. Color explosions of powder wait for you at the green, red, orange, pink zone and finally at the finish line. Again, the purpose is to have blast with friends and so everyone is welcome. Save the date if you are interested because the next Graffiti Run will take place on Sunday, May 18 in Philadelphia/Camden Waterfront.

More info at The Graffiti Run website

Rocky Balboa Run

How should a race held in Philadelphia be called if not after his legendary movie hero? Every year in November, thousands of runners and walkers join the famous Rocky Run. You have two options here: 5K or 10K. Registration is required and the price range is $45 to $65.

More info at the Rocky Balboa Run website

The Broad Street Run

This run is the Philadelphia’s special run. First of all, it is not measured in kilometers but in miles. It is, in fact a 10-mile run along Broad Street passing some most important landmarks of the city. Second, it is the largest 10-mile race in the US. The Broad Street Run, named also Blue Cross Broad Street Run due to its sponsor, is held in May. 

If you want to participate, you will have to be selected in the lottery starting as early as in February. Don't lose hope if you are not selected, though. There are also other charity bibs you may purchase until they all are sold.

More info at the Broad Street Run website!

The Philly 10K

This run was established by Philadelphia Runner, popular running stores in Philadelphia. After its debut last year, the next Philly 10k is coming up on 30 August, 2015. It is a road race through the heart of Philadelphia with the starting point on East Passyunk. You may admire the Philly's most beautiful neighborhoods while enjoying the run! This is what I call combining business with pleasure.

More info coming soon!

Half-marathons 

For all seriously running expat wives, there is a bunch of half-marathon races held in Philadelphia. Here are the most famous one: The Love Run (March), Odyssey Half Marathon (June 14), Rock’n’Roll Marathon Series (October 31). Ok, I am not that far with my work out yet. But if YOU are, you can share some running hints with me...

So girls, are you ready for some expat wives run ?

Get (un)dressed !

The first warm temperatures and sun rays made me feel so happy this week! Firstly, because everything becomes more beautiful in spring, secondly, because I don’t need to wear thousands of layers and thick winter coats anymore (knock knock knock on the wood).

So, while I was searching for some spring clothes in my closet, I thought about sharing a few interesting styles each for a different occasion.

How to spend a productive and gratifying winter

It is freezing outside and the only thing you feel like doing is...NOTHING! You are normally very active person who enjoys all different outdoor activities but now the best thing that comes through your mind is to grab a blanket and watch a nice movie. That is also an option, don't get me wrong. But for those who want to win over their lazy selves, I offer you some tips for turning chilly weekends into pleasant and self-rewarding moments.

Keep calm and...detox

January 2015, welcome! If January were a human, it would probably be dragging her(him)self away slowly from the couch

What are you thankful for?

One of the most important days in a year is coming up: Thanksgiving Day. If you have been living in the US for a few years already, you are definitely used to it and you may well have become an expert at cooking a turkey.

DEPRESSED or REBORN? What is your post vacation mode?

Coming back from vacation is always tough. The reasons are simple. Having your feet dipped in the sea is way much better than have them dipped in your office high heels. On vacation, your mind gets relaxed, your body, too. You visit new places, taste new flavors and enjoy new adventures. The vacation life may have very little in common with the everyday life of an expat wife of Philadelphia. But, how can we then cope with coming back to reality?

A glimpse into an expat wife free time - part 1: FRUIT PICKING

In one beautiful Saturday afternoon three expat wives got together to go fruit picking. Fruit picking was something new for me before. I really didn't remember this kind of activity either in Italy or in Slovakia. So when I first heard about it, it made me really curious.

All you need to know when you stay in Philly in summer

Is your vacation still a far future or even so unreal as a mirage when crossing a desert? Or maybe even worse and, let's say, you are one of those who preferred going on vacation in the winter months of the year and now you are cursing what awesome idea you'd had.

 I know that it may be hard to realize  you are going to spend the hottest months in a year in Philly but don't let yourself down.

Patriotic cake and more

The most important day in the American calendar is here - the Independence Day! Do you know why it is celebrated? And do you know why Philadelphia plays an important role in it? 

Moving again...how to get organized

This time we are going to talk about moving. I know that for many of you who moved from a different country and crossed the ocean to reach their husbands, every future move can be considered a piece of cake. A few months after my arrival I had to start looking for a new apartment. When we finally found the best place for us,

Oh my God those Fahrenheit! How to cope with a cultural shock phase

In our previous post we talked about the expat wives adjustment stages. I would like to talk about the one I'm an expert in: the cultural shock stage. As it was stated in Marianna's post last week, the cultural shock is a period that follows the honeymoon phase. Yay, the honeymoon phase...the one in which you still feel like on vacation, you walk in the center with your head up in the sky dazzled by the skyscrapers and you stop every time you see a squirrel just to try to take a picture of it while eating a nut.
Once this period is over and you start realizing your new life, you also begin to notice all the things that are different from your home country.

What coffee are you?

Dear friends, I have a confession to make: I'm a coffee addict. Yes, I am. Don't worry, though. It's not that bad. My hands aren't shaking (yet) if I don't have my dose of caffein and I am not getting particularly angry without my cup of coffee in the morning. Anyway, one of the first things I was concerned about when I came to Philadelphia, apart from having my documents ready :),  was finding a nice cafè with a good coffee.

A self-conscious expat moment

After a few initial months in Philly you may find yourself thinking about how your new American life is. In the first two or three weeks of your stay, it might have still felt like being on vacation. Everything was completely new and very exciting. While you were going around the city to run all the necessary errands related to the documents, house contracts, bills, etc. you also had an opportunity to discover new sites and what’s more, to discover them from a resident, not a tourist, point of view.